Uber will introduce self-driving cars in Saudi Arabia this year - Uber CEO
On Tuesday, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed the company's objective to introduce self-driving cars to the Saudi Arabian market this year. To introduce the technology to the local market, he said that Uber is now in talks with partners in the autonomous driving sector and many ministries in the kingdom. Similar: Riyadh to have self-driving taxis soon
In a panel discussion at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Khosrowshahi lauded the kingdom's rapid execution of significant projects and voiced his excitement about the upcoming deployment of self-driving technology on Saudi roadways.
With over 140,000 drivers and over 4 million active riders, Saudi Arabia is one of Uber's fastest-growing regions, he said. Khosrowshahi expects that the trend of the company's rapid expansion—which is taking place in 20 cities across the kingdom at a pace of more than 70% annually—will persist in light of the country's fast modernization.
He praised the Riyadh Metro project, describing it as "incredible and impressive," and revealed that Uber offers discounted pricing for first- and last-mile connections to the metro system. To make better use of city space and lessen the demand for parking, he advocated connecting Uber with public transportation. Recommend: 3 new stations opened at Riyadh Metro's Orange Line
Khosrowshahi highlighted the revolutionary potential of autonomous vehicles when discussing the future of transportation. He described them as a safer option than human drivers because they are able to learn from data and experience in realtime. He projected an important change in the transportation industry as a whole, with autonomous driving bringing about price reductions and increased accessibility in areas such as delivery and commercial logistics.
At this time, Uber is working with 18 partners across the globe that offer autonomous vehicles. To deliver the technology in a controlled and safe way, the company's platform will collaborate with urban environments and regulatory agencies. See Also: Good news for huroob domestic workers in Saudi Arabia
Uber will introduce self-driving cars in Saudi Arabia this year - Uber CEO